Browse More

Stay Updated

Sign up to get the information you need to take action for kids.

Each week we send a customized newsletter to our parent and teen subscribers. Parents can customize their settings to receive recommendations and parent tips based on their kids' ages. Teens receive a version just for them with the latest reviews and top picks for movies, video games, apps, music, books, and more.

A Digital Citizenship Model Policy for All Kids

As we draw closer to a time of year when we reflect on what we're thankful for the most, my attention focuses on our efforts to pass substantive digital citizenship legislation.

Voices from parents, educators, administrators, researchers, and activists have joined a chorus calling on state policymakers to provide the resources needed to ensure that our students are being taught good digital citizenship and media-literacy skills needed to ensure that safe and ethical behavior is practiced online and offline.

In October, Common Sense Kids Action formed a broad coalition with like-minded organizations such as the National Association for Media Literacy Education (NAMLE), Media Literacy Now, and the Digital Citizenship Institute with the goal of helping legislators and policy staff develop real solutions that will create resources needed in the classroom.

Our legislation calls for the creation of a state-based advisory committee composed of educators, administrators, researchers, and parents who will work under the oversight of the state education agency. The advisory committee will develop best practices, resources, and models for instruction in digital citizenship, internet safety, and media literacy. The committee will also develop strategies that will support school districts in local implementation of the best practices and recommendations developed, including strategies for delivering professional development to educators and administrators. Our legislation also calls for the mandate that districts must annually review their policies and procedures on digital citizenship, internet safety, and media literacy.

Common Sense has been a leading resource for school administrators, educators, and parents interested in learning additional ways to help kids thrive in a world driven by media and technology. We believe good online behavior mimics good offline behavior and that there is no differentiating between the two when it comes to safety, responsibility, and respect.

At Common Sense Kids Action, we're working every day to make the world a better place for kids.

Related Advice & Top Picks

JR oversees Let's Invest Large in Youth (LILY), a multi state program for Common Sense Kids Action. In this capacity JR works with a team of internal and external stakeholders to identify and introduce state based...
Read more

Add comment

PubExchange

Common Sense Media is working with PubExchange to share content from a select group of publishers. These are not ads. We receive no payment, and our editors have vetted each partner and hand-select articles we think you'll like. By clicking and leaving this site, you may view additional content that has not been approved by our editors.

Common Sense is the nation's leading nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in the 21st century.

Headquartered in San Francisco, with offices in Los Angeles, New York, and Washington, D.C.

Help center

Common Sense, Common Sense Media, Common Sense Education, and Common Sense Kids Action, associated names, associated trademarks, and logos are trademarks of Common Sense Media, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (FEIN 41-2024986).